WHAT THE PAPERS SaY

Evening Star, Issue 15187, 19 May 1913, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SaY

Every country must begin betimes to grow its on timber by way of preparing tor the lean years to come. Hero, in New Zealand, we cannot replace the magnificent native timber, trees which took so many centuries to attain maturity, and which we have waited in such reckless profusion; but we .tan learn a lesson from the forethought of other countries, which, like France end Germany, liave adopted syste matic afforestation as a national duty, and we can hope that if we are wise in time we may be able not only to guard against the worst effects of the coming timber famine, but, like them, 10 secure a handsome pecuniary profit from all the money that we expend in this particularly lucrative and reproductive form of investment. —Auckland ‘ Star.’ * * * In view of the fact that the Minis ter of Education (the Hon. James Alien) has already declared himself to Ire in favor of University reform, it may be confidently anticipated that the question will receive careful and sympathetic consideration when the request for an inquiry into the management of the University comes before him. —The ‘ Dominion.’ * ■» * Claiming to he friends of the Labor party, the Government iiave not only curtailed public works all over the Dominion, and loft the unfortunate workers to shift for themselves just as the winter is approaching, and employment in other spheres of labor necessarily curtailed, but they have reduced the advances to workers who desire homes, and drastically cut down loans to local bodies. And not because they are short of money, for Mr Massey boasts of a surplus of £700,000. Why, then, this curtailment of public expenditure, this dismissal of thousands of the workers? Echo answers why.—Wanganui ‘ Herald.’ # It is an axiom that to ensure peace a nation mst be prepared for war, and until all the leading Powers are of the same mind the race of armaments must go on. Therefore, activity in regard to defence is not militarism, as a certain section of the people declare, but wisdom. The recognition by Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward of this fact marks the superiority of their judgment.—Southland ‘ Nows.’ -X- ■vr vf The Tory Government are out for dearer money and no interference with private enterprise every time. Liberalism, which is not troubled about private enterprise, regards cheap monev as a first essential to the development of the country and its resources, the expansion of trade, and the prosperity of the people. Wellington ‘ Times.’ * * * Proportional representation, excellent as it is, evidently has its defects. Apart from the obvious disadvantage of having two Houses elected on the same system, ordinary prudence would seem to dictate that there shall be no thought of adopting proven ional repmentation for the Lower House in New Zealand, until, at any rate, it has been in operation ler some years in tee rase of the Upper House.—Christchurch ‘ Press.’ Tr # Mr Massey has expressed himself in favor of proportional representation, and if he has the courage of his opinions he will not allow his less democratic colleagues to deter him from applying to tho House of -Representatives the system he is pledged to enforce upon the'Legislative Council. The sincerity of hie professions may be very fairly judged by his treatment of this question.— ‘ Lyttelton Times.’ * * * The colored main’s attitude towards women is differnt from the white man’s, the, Asiatic’s standard of morals is different from the European’s, and for thee© as well as for economic reasons, the Chinaman, the Japanese, the Hindoo, and the Afghan are not suitable for citizenship in a white man’s country. Neither are they desirable members of a white community. The “ White Australasia” policy cannot be too rieidly preserved, and for the maintenance of this policy, if for no other reason,’ New Zealand and Australia must train themselves to arms.—Southland ‘ Times.’